No. 15 Wisconsin (8-3; 6-2 in B1G play) was able to hold off Nebraska (3-8; 1-7 in B1G play) at the very end 35-28 during Week 12 action. Now, the Gophers will finish their regular season on the road vs. Minnesota (7-4; 5-3 in B1G play) in the battle for Paul Bunyan’s Axe. With a win over their rival, Wisconsin will secure the B1G West Divisional title.

When asked the potential of securing the West title, Wisconsin quarterback Graham Mertz said he only cared about the team keeping the rivalry trophy. This is one of College Football’s oldest rivalries that date back to 1890.

After initially getting canceled, the 2020 edition of the game was rescheduled for Dec. 19. Mertz was 12-for-20 for 132 yards in that game as the Badgers held on for a 20-17 win over the Gophers.

Wisconsin has won 16 of the last 17 games versus the rival and has won the last two games. The last time Minnesota defeated Wisconsin was in 2018 with a 37-15 score. Wisconsin currently leads the series 62-60-8.